The 2013-14 Covington Catholic boys basketball team received their championship rings Wednesday night after winning the Kentucky state title in March. The ceremony took place under the team’s championship banner in their school’s gym. The rings were first blessed by Rev. Roger Foys, Bishop of the Diocese of Covington, before they were distributed to the players, coaches and team managers.
Coach Scott Ruthsatz spoke to the crowd on hand about the challenges his team overcame in the state tournament, like having to play the late semifinal game on Saturday and having to be up the next morning for the 9:30 mass. He joked about the priest’s homily being extra lengthy that day and the ensuing time crunch that it had on the team.
“We were all looking at our clocks knowing we had to eat and get to the arena and play the game, but the Lord took good care of us,” he said.
Ruthsatz also thanked the Covington Catholic community for supporting him, his wife, and their seven children at the school after moving the family from New Jersey three years ago. Ruthsatz worked as an assistant to the legendary St. Anthony’s head coach, Bob Hurley Sr., for three seasons before moving to Northern Kentucky.
“The support from the community and the alumni has been astounding. Even Holmes people have come up to say congratulations, because in the end, you want your hometown team to win.”
He pointed to three winning facets his team demonstrated during their tournament run that led to the title: hard work, discipline, and unselfishness.
“When you just line (the team) up, they don’t look like much, but we work incredibly hard. We will outwork you if nothing else,” he said.
Rings were also given to athletic director, Mike Guidugli, principal Bob Rowe, and Bishop Foys who immediately put his on his hand and pumped his ringed fist triumphantly to the crowd. The Bishop also laughed that he only took three minutes to speak while Coach Ruthsatz took twenty, a response to Ruthsatz’s crack at the long homily by the priest in Lexington.
The rings are gold with a diamond-encrusted number one and centered in a large blue stone. The words Covington Catholic and State Champions circle the gem.
Ruthsatz said that while he is immensely proud of last year, he is eager to move forward on to the next.
“What we accomplished was very special, but it’s not the end, it’s just the beginning. I can’t wait to do it again next year.”
Written by Bryan Burke, RCN Staff Writer
Photos by Brian Frey, RCN contributor
